Details about that single source have emerged

The Marlins are currently offering Johnson an extension that would buy out just one of his free agent years. The general thought is that Johnson's payday should be nine figures. This could make Johnson available via the trade market.If Johnson is available, the New York Mets should go after him as they can, for several reasons. One, he is very young-25 years old, a pitcher that young, is rarely ever available.

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Two, Johnson has great stuff, is a workhorse, and could be a Cy Young candidate next year. It might not take that much to pry Johnson from the Marlins.He could be cheaper in terms of prospects than Roy Halladay.There is one risk with Johnson; early in his career, he had to undergo Tommy John surgery. Josh Johnson would be a fantastic number two starter and is young enough that the Mets could have him for a few years without an extension being necessary. They also could sign him now for a cheaper price then they would in the future.I still feel that the Mets can be a competitive team, because they have some of the top talent in baseball in their core, but they desperately need to show their commitment to excellence by improving their supporting cast and doing so with urgency. Making an aggressive play for Josh Johnson would be a great way to do that. . ANKARA, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Turkey's prime minister and the head of the powerful military held unscheduled talks on Thursday which local media linked to a widening probe into an alleged plot to topple the Islamist-rooted AK Party government. News of the meeting added to tensions between the secularist establishment and the AK Party in the European Union-candidate country, where financial markets have already been hit by a global financial crisis.

A source at Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's office confirmed Erdogan and armed forces chief General Ilker Basbug met, but declined to comment on the subject of the talks, which came a day after Turkish police detained about 40 people including three retired generals and active military officers. Basbug subsequently left for regular talks with President Abdullah Gul. Turkish shares extended losses, trading down more than 5 percent on Thursday The lira also fell. Critics of the ruling AK Party say Erdogan's government is using the case as revenge for court moves by the secular establishment last year to outlaw the party for anti-secular activities. The AK Party denies any link.(Reporting by Zerin Elci; editing by Philippa Fletcher).

Where Ralph Lawler and Mike Smith's comments drew the ire of a single viewer, Fox's decision to suspend the pair seems to have incited a crowd."The suspensions were stupid, and a bad precedent as well.""I'mflabbergasted.""So what if they mispronounced a word."Those comments left by Bill, Mike and Karl seem to echo the sentiment of Clipper fan and non-fan alike. Even my wife, adecidedly unabashed Clipper NON-fan was taken aback when I told her the reason for and single-source that had brought on the suspension.Details about that single source have emerged. Clipper season ticket holder Arya Towfighi was watching the game with his young son in the room when the brief back-and-forth between Lawler and Smith took place.The Boston born Towfighi wanted to replay the comment but ushered his son out of the room before doing so. "I didn't want my son to hear that," Towfighi said. He then proceeded to email the LA Times, the Clippers and Fox Sports executives.Fox initially actedappropriately, in my opinion, by calling Mr. Towfihi was offended and he had a right to complain and Lawler and Smith should have been more sensitive.Karl, a writer for B/R who's comment I included above, went on to say "But how ignorant do you have to be not to know the pronunciation of Iran by this point in time" Cyrus Hadavi, a member of the Alliance of Iranian Americans in L.A., agrees saying he was left "kind of speechless. I am not a bigot."Smith, apparently gun-shy about saying anything even remotely controversial said only "Ralph is an incredible broadcaster, an amazing colleague and a wonderful friend."So we are left today to reflect on decisions made and voice our opinion. That is the wonder of the blog isn't it With that in mind I humbly submit my final grades to each participant of this unfortunate situation.Mr. Towfighi but the followup suspensions were uncalled for. I would bump this up to a C if Fox were to apologize to Lawler and Smith for the unnecessary suspensions. I won't hold my breath.I also feel the need to point out that Fox added fuel to the fire by not mentioning the longtime Clipper announcers afterunceremoniously replacing them with Michael Eaves and Don MacLean. The news was out, everyone was aware of the suspensions but after 25 years behind the mike having never missed a game neither Eaves or MacLean made mention of Lawler!Ridiculous!!Smith's absence was also ignored no doubt on orders from Fox.MarkNovember 29 on your calendar Clipper fans. In just eight short days the Grizzlies arrive in Los Angeles where the Clippers had long before thisincident planned to promote the Grizzlie center and Iranian born Haddadi at the center of the recent storm with "Iranian Heritage Day"Fans will get a chance to meet Haddadi before the 12:30 p.m.